Things to do

We dare you to whine there’s nothing to do around here. Whether you want to be entertained from the sidelines of a sporting event or a theater seat, or like to be inspired by arts and crafts, or need to join the fray of competition, or take in a multi-cultural event, we’ve got you covered.

The Best of Broadway brings touring Broadway shows to the INB Performing Arts Center and live theater is staged at the Spokane Civic Theatre and Interplayers. The Spokane Symphony presents more than 60 concerts annually, an eclectic mix of entertainment fills the seats at Bing Crosby Theatre and Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, and big names in country and rock music perform at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena and Northern Quest Resort & Casino every year. Cozy community theaters in Liberty Lake, Spokane, Spokane Valley and Coeur d’Alene, bring a variety of talent and productions to their stages and the Blue Door theatre hosts comedy improv every Friday night.

Here’s a list of some – but not all – of the region’s must-experience annual events:

January through March

Spokane International Film Festival – screenings of unreleased, feature-length movies, documentaries and shorts

Northwest Bach Festival – a musical legacy with international and local performers

Spokane Golf & Travel Show – more than 100 exhibitors show off the latest gear and travel packages

Martin Luther King Jr. Day – peakers and events including the Unity March through downtown

April and May

Get Lit! – the Inland Northwest’s premier literary festival features authors, readings and workshops

Elk Fest – Spokane’s only free, outdoor, true indie music fest

Green Bluff – from spring through the holidays, over 30 growers and merchants sell produce, handmade goods and gifts at their fafrom spring through the holidays, more than 30 growers and merchants sell produce, handmade goods and giftsrms.

Pride Parade – annual GLBTQA parade through the streets of downtown

The Farm Chicks Antiques Show – more than 200 vendors sell antiques, vintage items, crafts and handmade goods

Hoopfest – 456 basketball courts span 42 downtown blocks each June when the world’s largest 3-on-3 street basketball tournament brings 7,000 teams and 250,000 players and fans to Spokane

Julyamsh Coeur d’Alene Tribal Encampment and Powwow – more than 800 drummers, dancers, arts and crafts

Spokane Highland Games – bagpipes, highland dancing, sheepdog exhibitions, athletic events and clan reunions

Unity in the Community – showcases the region’s cultural diversity through international song and dance

September through November

Pig Out in the Park – downtown Spokane’s annual food and music fest in 100-acre Riverfront Park

Spokane County Interstate Fair – ten days of music, food, rides, and games

Candlelight Tour of Homes – area residents open their homes to support the Spokane Preservation Advocates

Festival of Fair Trade – handicrafts for sale from Mexico, Nepal, Vietnam, Kenya, Chile and beyond

Holiday Season

Christmas Arts & Crafts Show – 300 artisans, craftspeople and vendors sell specialty foods, gifts and décor

Christmas Evermore – Singing Nuns wearing traditional blue habits perform Christmas favorites in an annual holiday concert

Christmas Tree Elegance – elaborately decorated trees are auctioned off in this fundraiser for the Spokane Symphony

Campbell House Holidays – the Victorian-era mansion is decked out in traditional holiday style

New Year’s Eve

bonfires, fireworks, song and dance performers fill downtown for a New Year’s Eve celebration for all ages

There’s so much more!

For dates, times, admission and more information on events held throughout the region, go to visitspokane.com. For sporting events, visit spokanesports.org.

For dates, times, admission and more information on events held throughout the region, go to: www.visitspokane.com. For sporting events, go to www.spokanesports.org.